The Korean War is often referred to as ‘the forgotten war.’ Ten years after the beginning of America’s longest war, Afghanistan seems almost as forgotten as Korea.

In today’s political and social landscape, a war thousands of miles away is often an afterthought. High unemployment and fights between Congress and the president weigh heavily on the minds of Americans who have plenty to worry about at home. Much of the burden of the war is on a very small percentage of Americans who are deployed or have loved ones fighting.

Public apathy is aided by the indifference to much of the war by the media. A viewer of any network nightly news would find it hard to believe that we are currently in a war. Besides the coverage of major events, like the shooting down of an American helicopter with dozens of U.S. Special Forces troops on board this summer or the Taliban attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, there is almost no coverage that most Americans will see. How many people know that in the last three years the U.S. casualties in Afghanistan were more than the total of all previous years of the war?

Possibly the worst part of the unawareness many Americans have toward the war is that individual soldiers are forgotten. Most Americans will never know the names of Army Sgt. Nathan L. Wyrick, 34, of the 10th Mountain Division or Army Pvt. Danny Chen, 19, of the 25th Infantry Division — both killed this month.

As students, it’s important to be aware of the situation in Afghanistan. Many of the troops deployed to Afghanistan are about the age of college students. These brave men and women could be in college or pursuing a career but have decided to fight for our country. Some return home to live their lives after deployment, while others will never be the same, or still others will give the ultimate sacrifice. Students must recognize that they are able to be in school because others are sacrificing on our behalf.

The 1,789 American soldiers who have bravely given their lives in the past 10 years deserve better from all of us in America. We must have more regard for the tens of thousands of troops still in Afghan theater. Agree or disagree with the war, Americans have a moral duty to support the troops while they are fighting overseas, and this support requires a general knowledge of the situation at the very least. It’s time for people to take a break from their daily routines and get a grasp on the war that our fellow citizens in uniform are fighting.

Patrick Mocete is senior political science and policy studies major. His column appears occasionally. He can be reached at pdmocete@syr.edu or on Twitter @patrickmocete.

Published on October 22, 2011 at 12:00 pm